Where is the creativity in this side? One of the 3 defenders (Dave) struggles to play out from the back and that midfield will outrun and outfight anyone but against the better sides or (as is so often the case these days) parked buses, it will struggle. This is, I feel, the fundamental flaw in any post-Eriksen scenario (I know this wasn't the point of your post PS). Simply changing the formation does not and will not solve the fact that we already lack the technical nous to break down the most stubborn sides with him in the team. Removing him from it will only make that problem worse. 343, 433, 352 it honestly doesn't matter. I still feel that after Eriksen, our most creative attacking player and comfortably second best passer of the ball is Harry Kane. If he wasn't such a bloody good goalscorer he'd be a bloody good no.10. In an absolute worst-case scenario in which we fail to bring in Lo Celso/Fernandes (although tbh the latter isn't as creative as the former) and Eriksen is sold or loses complete interest, using Kane in a deeper role wherein he is the conduit picking the ball up from the midfield engine room to make things happen is the only solution I'd be comfortable with. Lloris Foyth Toby Jan Rose Sissoko N'Dombele Son Kane Alli Lucas With a bench of: Gazza, Dave, Davies, Dier, Winks, Lamela, Parrott. Has a very nice look to it on paper. The problem is - once again - any moderate injury to Kane plus one AM and we're completely screwed. This was our downfall in the league this year and will be next year if we don't act by Thursday. The injury records of Kane, Alli and Lamela just cannot be trusted for an entire campaign.
I guess I think back to the days where we had Rose and Walker bombing down both wings and being a menace all game. Not to mention the space they created centrally which allowed us to play much more free flowing football. Over the last couple of years I just feel that we huff and puff more and that has come down to not having that danger on both sides of the pitch, IMO. I’d like us to have that threat again, which is why I’m concerned about the RB options right now, despite a lot of fans saying “it’l be Ok”. And why I’m someone who doesn’t wanna see Danny Rose leave yet.
Their full backs. Not necessarily the best individual players in the league but easily the most effective at fulfilling the task handed them by their manager.
Have you still got those Chinese worry balls sir? Well start grinding them like you've never ground before.
Two positions where they lack significant cover, too. They were very lucky that they had no issues last season.
Phew...was beginning to get withdrawl symptoms ... like when you are on your last ciggie and all the shops are dhut so you gotta make that long midnight walk to the garage...thank God I got old and boring and quit!
It just doesn't strike me as a sensible idea to open new conversations with previously unlinked players at this stage of the window. Historically all of our last minute deals (and there have been a LOT of them) have been the end result of weeks if not months of negotiation. VDV literally fell into our laps as Real offered him to us on a platter but beyond that I can't think of too many examples where we've been linked with a player for the first time with 3 days to go and have actually signed them. The priority has got to be Lo Celso or Fernandes. They seem to be key in Poch's eyes and will also cover a position whose incumbent may yet vacate this summer. Foyth ain't going anywhere. If Poch isn't willing to trust KWP and Aurier for 2.5 months of the season, they should've been sold months ago.
If we don't sign anyone or just bring in Sessegnon and then we sell Eriksen, then people are going to go nuts. If he goes to Man Utd, then it will be twice as bad. We've basically ****ed two years of transfers. We've got a couple of days to sort it out and it's not going to happen. Regardless of how the season goes, that's simpy not good enough.
if that’s what happens, I totally agree. But I’d rather wait until Thursday evening before I get really irate!...
Don't think I've ever heard you so downbeat PNP. If it's any consolation, welcome to the Dark Side. My colleague @Slurpcock will be in touch to take measurements for your official robes, regalia and half-empty glass.
We've already ****ed up, in my opinion. We need to get things done early and failed. Ndombele is a replacement for a player that we sold in the January window and we've done nothing else. Vorm, Trippier and Llorente have left without replacements and Eriksen, Alderweireld and Vertonghen are running down their contracts. Wanyama, N'Koudou, Carter-Vickers, Onomah and others should've been sorted ages ago.
